Former Hammers striker Dean Ashton has been unimpressed with the claims of Jose Mourinho…
Former West Ham United striker Dean Ashton has slammed claims made by Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, who expressed his belief that his side were being unfairly targeted after Cesc Fabregas was booked for diving in the 1-1 draw with Southampton on Sunday.
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Reports on Sky Sports carry quotes from the 31-year-old defending Hammers boss Sam Allardyce, who recently aggravated Mourinho by claiming Chelsea players were guilty of simulation and going to ground too easily.
After the Southampton match, the Portuguese boss claimed his players are being unfairly criticised by pundits, commentators and other managers, all of which he says is influencing the decision of the referee.
Ashton agreed that Fabregas should have been awarded a spot kick, saying: “The defender just slips and it was a penalty. And you can see from Targett’s face afterwards that he knows it should have been a penalty.”
But the one-time England international was unimpressed with Mourinho’s defence of his other players, including Diego Costa – who has been booked twice this season for diving.
He said: “You’re talking about a six-foot, two-inch, big strong centre-forward who shouldn’t being going down with such minimal contact. But it’s so difficult for referees.
“There’s no conspiracy against Chelsea. Jose is backing his players. He’s not going to say he’s gone down too easily. He will support his players but you’d like to think in the dressing room afterwards he’d say something to these players.”
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